Tommy Fleetwood described being able to pick the brain of Ryder Cup Captain Luke Donald on the putting green as "invaluable" after making a hot start on day two of The 153rd Open.
Seven-time DP World Tour winner Fleetwood opened his second round with a hat-trick of birdies at Royal Portrush, holing some lengthy putts along the way.
After signing for a second-round 68 to head into the weekend on one under par, Fleetwood revealed he had recently enjoyed some time on the putting green with former World Number One Donald.
He said: "I've always been close with Luke. We love having him as the Ryder Cup Captain, he's always there speaking to the players.
"I've worked with (putting coach) Phil Kenyon for a long time but Luke is so good to chat to about the game.
"I mean he was the best player in the world for quite a long time and he was the best putter in the world and the best at a lot of other things.
"So it's always good to pick his brain.
"We were hanging out in Scotland, we were staying sort of next door. I found those greens tough last week and we just ended up talking and he came onto the putting green with me and we hit a few putts.
"Honestly any time you get to spend time with someone like that, never mind someone you're close with, it's invaluable and just listening to how he went about putting was great."
Privilege to play in front of the home crowds the last two days with their hero. Better day today for me and looking forward to a big push this weekend! @TheOpen pic.twitter.com/ktsbPprhV2
— Tommy Fleetwood (@TommyFleetwood1) July 18, 2025
Masters Champion Rory McIlroy played alongside Fleetwood on the opening two days, adding a second-round 69 to his opening 70.
The Northern Irishman is targeting a weekend hot streak as he seeks to make up for a missed opportunity in front of his home crowd.
Six years ago, he failed to make the weekend by a stroke after a terrible first day, but there was no danger of that this time around as he moved to three under at the midway point.
He said: "I maybe could be a couple closer to the lead, but overall in a decent position heading into the weekend.
"I didn’t have this opportunity six years ago, so to play an extra two days in this atmosphere in front of these crowds, I’m very excited for that.
"I feel like my game’s definitely good enough to make a run.
"I’ve been somewhat close to my best over the first two days in little bits here and there.
"I’m going to need to have it all under control and have it sort of all firing over the weekend to make a run."
